Box score

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Mark Samuels scored eight points in overtime including the game winner with six seconds remaining to lift the Pioneer men's basketball team past UC San Diego, 80-79, on January 13.                           

The Pioneers improve to 5-3 in CCAA action and 7-5 for the season. UC San Diego stands at 1-8 in the CCAA and 5-9 overall.

“What a great win,” Pioneer coach Will Biggs said. “The Tritons are a lot better than their record indicates and they're a team that has beaten us four times the past two years by 20 points or more.  This was a hard fought game.”

The Tritons led 73-70 in the first minute of overtime. UC San Diego increased its margin to 77-72 with 1:07 remaining.                                                                                                                                                                       

Samuels' three-point play cut the margin to 77-75 with 59 seconds left. Following a Triton free throw, Samuels converted another three-point play to tie the game, 78-78, with 47 remaining in overtime.

With 13 seconds left, James McCann made a free throw to put the Tritons ahead 79-78.

Samuels converted a layup with six seconds left to give the Pioneers the overtime victory.

The Pioneers' Jason Smith, the CCAA leader in converted three-pointers, nailed a shot from beyond the arch with four seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Cal State East Bay maintained a 42-34 lead early in the second half.

The Tritons outscored the Pioneers, 11-2, to pull ahead 45-44 with 14:28 remaining in regulation.  Neither team led by more than two points the following 13 minutes.

A free throw by James McCann with 10 seconds remaining gave the Tritons a 70-67 lead before the three-pointer by Smith.

UC San Diego jumped out to an 8-2 lead and maintained an 11-5 edge at the 16:00 minute mark.

Tre Mauldin came off the bench to convert a three-pointer to give the Pioneers their first lead of the game, 16-13, with 12:56 remaining.

Trailing 24-23, the Pioneers went on an 8-0 run the following seven minutes as Jacari Whitfield hit a pair of three-pointers and Mauldin converted a layup.

The Pioneers led by as many as 11 points with 2:50 left in the first half.    

For the game, the Pioneers hit nine 3-pointers compared to three for the Tritons. Samuels and Mauldin had 17 points each. Whitfield followed with 15.  Roshun Wynne contributed to the Pioneer victory with eight points, 12 rebounds and four steals.

McCann led all scorers with 22 points.
“Everybody contributed in the victory,” Biggs said.  “We have real good chemistry on this team.”

Cal State East Bay will play at Cal State Bernardino on January 14. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.